Greens MP Pushes To Drop Voting Age To 16

A bill to lower the voting age to 16 will be introduced to federal parliament by Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John.

It would allow almost 600,000 young Australians aged 16 and 17 to engage in the democratic process, the West Australian senator told reporters in Perth on Monday.

The 23-year-old said research showed the youth split their votes "pretty evenly" between the Greens, Labor and Liberal, and he urged fellow parliamentarians to support the bill.

Really looking forward to speaking with young people and students this afternoon at Prendiville college. Young people have every right to participate in our democracy and I am here to facilitate that right #auspol